$1M from Bond C could fund university upgrades

If approved, funding from Bond C will support the completion of NMSU Carlsbad's fire suppression system in its main building. The system includes fire alarms and sprinklers that are expected to react quickly to fire.(Photo: DeJanay Booth/Current-Argus)Buy Photo

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For more information: John Gratton, 575-234-9210 or Khushroo Ghadiali, 575-234-9414.

EDDY COUNTY — New Mexico State University at Carlsbad is expected to receive $1 million to complete the installation of a fire suppression system if Bond C is approved by voters in November.

Bond C is a general obligation bond that provides universities with funding for renovations and facility improvements, according to the New Mexico Bond C website. If approved, the bond will provide more than $131 million in funding statewide without raising taxes.

"It's essential to higher education. Really, in terms of projects, this is kind of the only way some colleges even can tackle some of these projects," said NMSU Carlsbad President John Gratton.

Gratton said passage of the bond will fund phase two of the fire system installation project in the Carlsbad campus' main building.

Phase one included the installation of sprinklers and fire alarms on the second floor. In phase two the same system will be installed on the first floor and the second-floor library.

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NMSU Carlsbad marketing and publications director Khushroo Ghadaili said the new sprinklers will immediately react to smoke and the alarm will sound in the entire building.(Photo: DeJanay Booth/Current-Argus)

Gratton said if Bond C fails to pass, the university will continue work on the fire system with other funding, but he added that funding from Bond C is essential to the safety of students and faculty members.